While LEDs have many advantages, they also have their quirks. Unlike regular bulbs that scatter light in all directions, LEDs have narrow viewing angles-generally only 20 or 30 degrees. As a result, they look brightest when you're directly behind them, but lose luminosity at an angle. Thus, LEDs may not be very effective if your car's taillights are set at an angle, or if the lens and socket are not parallel with each other. The focused light also means that smaller, 1157-style LED bulbs are best used with smaller taillights, while bigger LED strips or cards better serve larger lights. It's also worth noting that blue-dot lenses may actually cancel out some of the light given off by red LEDs.

The efficiency of LEDs has another curious side effect-they don't draw enough amperage to activate typical canister-style automotive flashers. There is an easy fix, though, as electronic no-load and low-load flashers are available to keep your blinkers and brake lights functioning properly.

Finally, it's worth noting that not all LEDs give out the same quality of light. There may be a difference in luminosity between bargain LEDs and those that cost a little more. In fact, low-quality LEDs may actually be dimmer than the incandescent lights you're replacing, so be sure to do your research before you purchase.

Custom Lights And Supplements
We've discussed many ways to improve existing taillights, but there's another approach worth mentioning: using complete, custom aftermarket taillight assemblies. Several companies offer kits that include taillight buckets, lights (incandescent or LED), and lenses that can be adapted to almost any vehicle. Lens shapes run the gamut from simple ovals and slits, to teardrop and chevrons. Most of the lenses can be flush-fit to your car's body, so they blend in and virtually disappear when the lights and brakes are not on. Flush-fit third brake lights are also available.

Speaking of third brake lights, they remain the simplest and fastest way to add attention-getting illumination to the rear of your car. As Watson points out, third brake lights also add light at eye level, where other drivers are most likely to notice it. Some third brake lights can serve double duty as supplemental turn signal lights too. Of course, the easiest third brake lights to add are pedestal-style units that mount on the package tray, although the flush-fit versions we mentioned earlier may offer a more integrated appearance

And finally, several companies offer electronic devices that flash or pulsate brake lights to help draw more attention. For example, Technostalgia has a RapidFire feature one some of its LED taillight kits that flashes the brake lights three times within the first half-second of applying the brake. After the three flashes, the brake lights remain on as normal. Similarly, Watson's StreetWorks has a brake light pulsator that pulsates brake lights 300 times per minute as long as the brakes are applied.

Shine On
As you can see, there are plenty of options for lighting your car's tail and keeping it safe and visible. And just as there are no two custom cars built exactly alike, there is no one-size-fits-all solution for taillights. The most important lesson we can impart is to be aware of all the resources and products available, and to really spend some time determining your car's lighting needs. After all, wouldn't it be better to add a little light to your rear now, rather than having to fix it later?

The low amperage draw of LED...        read full caption The low amperage draw of LED lights can prevent standard automotive flashers (right) from working properly. Thus, low-load and no-load flashers may be needed when you use LEDs. This no-load PG-3 from Hotronics has an all-electronic design that can be triggered by front signal lights or even small dash indicator bulbs

Flush-fit taillights can add...        read full caption Flush-fit taillights can add a custom look to almost any vehicle while still providing clear, bright light. Hagan Street Rod Necessities offers flush-mount taillight and signal kits with a variety of lens shapes and sizes. The supplied light boxes employ common incandescent bulbs.

Watson's StreetWorks sells...        read full caption Watson's StreetWorks sells flush-mount taillight and signal-light kits that employ LEDs instead of bulbs. Several sizes of slot-shaped and round lights are available. Single slot-shaped lights are also available as third brake lights.

Another popular and easily...        read full caption Another popular and easily installed item from StreetWorks is this pedestal-style LED third brake light that mounts on the package tray or hangs from the roof inside your rear window. Available in two sizes, the lights can also serve as turn signal indicators.